San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is a man of few words, but he had plenty to describe Craig Sager.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is a man of few words, but he had plenty to describe Craig Sager.

Addressing the media before the Spurs played the Phoenix Suns Thursday night, Popovich didn't talk much about the matchup — instead, he focused his attention on his longtime friend Sager, who died Thursday after a long battle with cancer.

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"I'll miss him very much," Popovich told reporters.

Greg Popovich (l.) and Craig Sager (r.) once shared an on-air hug after Sager returned from cancer treatment. (NBA/Youtube)

"On a day like this, basketball has to take a backseat as we all think about somebody who was very unique, very special. Whether you really knew Craig or not, you got the feeling that he was a special person in a lot of different ways," Popovich said. "And right now, I just feel for his family. To talk about him being a professional and good at what he did is a tremendous understatement."

Popovich said that Sager, 65, was "a way better person than he was a worker," adding that he was "amazing" at the job he did while reporting.

But the most amazing part about Sager was his courage, Popovich said.

"What he's endured, the fight that he's put up, the courage that he's displayed during this situation is beyond my comprehension. If any of us could display half the courage he has to stay on this planet — to live every life as if it's his last — we'd be well off," Popovich said.

The Spurs coach interacted with Sager many times over the years — and most of the time it was friendly. The two even exchanged a hug when Sager returned to reporting in December 2015.

Aside from his words, Popovich honored Sager with a Spurs win Thursday, 107-92.